London Underground and Rolex.

[gettocard]

As a veteran London visitor I actually feel a bit ashamed to ask this question,but as they say better safe than sorry

Our hotel will be in central London ( Oxford st.) and we will be stranded enough by all day walking to go out at night,but just in case is it safe to wear a Rolex while riding the underground after 8pm or something.. ??

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by gettocard

As a veteran London visitor I actually feel a bit ashamed to ask this question,but as they say better safe than sorry

Our hotel will be in central London ( Oxford st.) and we will be stranded enough by all day walking to go out at night,but just in case is it safe to wear a Rolex while riding the underground after 8pm or something.. ??

It was never a problem for me during my visit a couple years back. Don't forget to MIND THE GAP!
dP

[snog]

mate it's freezing here,bring a coat! it'll be nice and snug under there.

[thesmallwave]

Originally Posted by snog

mate it's freezing here,bring a coat! it'll be nice and snug under there.

Yeah,the weather is not very good,is getting cold and winter is near.I don't belive you will have any problems wearing your Rolex as there are many fake ones and nobody can tell,lol

[gettocard]

Originally Posted by snog

mate it's freezing here,bring a coat! it'll be nice and snug under there.

I see that. Well I hope it will get better by next wed. I love cold weather,just the rain sucks.

[PhilM]

Honest you'll be fine, just let your common sense guide you.... London is a safe and great city

[spuds]

Originally Posted by PhilM

Honest you'll be fine, just let your common sense guide you.... London is a safe and great city

x2.

& also reiterating the "let your common sense guide you" though.

[RolexADreal]

my 2 cents... Last july my brother got attacked in central London, in front of my building in one of the safest (supposed to be) streets in mayfair: result big fear and his IWC portuguese is gone.... Since then i will never provide any information to a stranger, no matter how he looks like, nor i'll borrow my lighter.... Police told us that is quite commun unfortunately that people are stopped for a stupid reason, stubbed and watches take the flight... Learnt the lesson....

[Ozzie]

Yes, in the summer I was on the tube wearing my Daytona.
Then someone got on at the next stop and sat next tom wearing a Sub LV. At the following stop someone else sat next to me wearing a GMT2c!! Normally I never see anyone wearing a Rolex.

[EchoBlueUK]

Personally, i wouldn't at night.

[jameshe]

I worried about this before I moved here. Nearly every man woman and their dog wears a rolex and many other expensive watches all the time and everywhere. As long as it is one of the all steel models you shouldn't attract any attention.

A lot of people express their wealth quite blatantly in the city, I wouldn't worry :)

Just ensure that you avoid streets at night in your own where you may become a target when other people are not around. Chances are they would target you on the off chance you had cash, a decent phone and maybe a watch anyhow rather than recognizing a rolex

[gettocard]

Originally Posted by jameshe

I worried about this before I moved here. Nearly every man woman and their dog wears a rolex and many other expensive watches all the time and everywhere. As long as it is one of the all steel models you shouldn't attract any attention.

A lot of people express their wealth quite blatantly in the city, I wouldn't worry :)

Just ensure that you avoid streets at night in your own where you may become a target when other people are not around. Chances are they would target you on the off chance you had cash, a decent phone and maybe a watch anyhow rather than recognizing a rolex

Great advices. Thanks everyone. I hope it helps the fact that I dress like an outdoor nerd rather that the average Rolex wearer. Still,I know I'll be ok using common sense

[Chris B]

Dress like a mugger & then you'll be left alone

Seriously, you'll be fine, enjoy your stay

[chazha]

lived there for 3 years.. daily wear. never had a problem before and I lived in Lewisham. Maybe its because I dress so cheap. :D 9/10 of all rollies I notice in the underground are subs.

[GradyPhilpott]

Some people will mug you for whatever you've got. Trust me, I've been in these situations more than once.

I was mugged once by a gang of crack heads in New Orleans. They took my shirt, my wallet, my shoes and socks, my college class ring (which was stainless steel), and left my Casio Data Bank on my wrist.

If you are targeted, it matters not what you may have, they will take anything of value that you might have. In the case above, I was dressed in jeans and a polo shirt and a pair of athletic shoes.

Once I was accosted by a gang of crack heads in New Orleans, but across town from the above incident and they retreated in horror upon realizing that my smooth-toed, black shoes were spit-shined. They kept yelling to each other that I was NOPD, which I wasn't, but I was walking home from my security guard job with my uniform in my backpack.

I share these incidents because there is no formula to keep you safe at anytime when you are in unknown territory and if you are in a town that is as rough as New Orleans was in the Eighties and Nineties, you are never safe.

Some of you, I suspect have lived most of your lives in the relative safety of American suburbs and haven't had to live in the inner cities where walking to the neighborhood grocery in broad daylight or taking the bus even in broad daylight involves a risk and constant vigilance.

If you have valuables and you have doubts, leave them at home. Even insurance won't protect that which has sentimental value.

To this day, if I am unsure of my environment, I keep the valuables I have in a safer place than on my person, even when I am armed, which is most of the time.

Discretion is the better part of valor.

[gofore59]

I just was in London in August and rode the Underground day and night with my Sub 14060 - I did not even give it a second thought. There are tons of nice watches, Louis Vuiton purses, etc. everywhere in Central London.

London is no different to any major city - use common sense and keep your wits...

[tattooedfagin]

shouldn't worry too much just use common sense, if i use the tube & end up standing having to grab the hand rail i always use my non watch hand, better safe than sorry

[padi56]

Originally Posted by PhilM

Honest you'll be fine, just let your common sense guide you.... London is a safe and great city

Have to agree myself never had any problems world wide.

[Sunster]

You'll be fine. Pretty much every other banker wears a rolex...you'll see more rolex watches than Casios

[mjrennie]

go to manchester instead. no underground and better than london, imho. just a good ammenities and easier to get about, as it is smaller.

[Changmaisausage]

No problem I worked/lived in London for five years and had no problem wearing my rolex/omega. As pointed out you will probably be well wrapped up keeping warm so your pride and joy will be hidden away.

[franklin7]

I am a Londoner, happily exiled in Scotland these days. I visit frequently and would simply advise discretion with any valuables when in a public place. If the weather is sunny, there's no nicer city to be!

(Hey Grady, Thank for the heads-up to watch out in New Orleans. I would not want to lose my trousers, shoes AND socks to a mugger ! ..No wonder you are armed ! )

[spuds]

Originally Posted by mjrennie

go to manchester instead. no underground and better than london, imho. just a good ammenities and easier to get about, as it is smaller.

Now that's fightin' talk!!

... the problem is they all talk with incomprehensible accents North of Watford!!

[Puffy]

safest city in the world - your Rolex will be hidden under 3 layers of clothing anyway

[mopsey]

As a born and bred Londoner i wouldn't think twice about it. In the West End. However venture into the wrong area and it won't be your watch that should worry you.
But that's the same in any big city.

[Mogens]

I never take my watch of when I travel; to London or any other city.
But I might stay away from gold, if I know I´m going to be "unsober" at nightime

A couple of years ago in London at 05.00 AM, probably a little bit to drunk, I went the wrong direction when going to my hotel (I walked east). Somehow I got almost to Hackney, wich I later realized is not the best part of town.

Anyway, on the street was this rastafari playing guitar. Needing a rest, I stood there listening for a while. He needed a rest, so we switched. I took his guitar, while he fired up a joint and listended to me playing guitar and singing.
I dont play guitar and was pretty wasted, but the sight of this small whiteguy in a suit playing the rastas guitar, made a bunch of his friends coming to see.

So there I was - with my Cartier (did´nt have a Rolex at the time). And I must say, my least concern were my watch I did´nt get mugged or anything, so the hole story might be pointless, but I can tell you that London is pretty safe

[erling]

I spent two days in London last week. Used the Underground frequently those two days (both day and evenings). Had no problem or fear wearing my Sub. Also spotted Subs and GMTs on the train. London is a great city.

[psv]

What they said...

You can't predict when and where trouble will find you, just stay aware of your surroundings like you would in any place with lots of people; and make sure you have insurance for your valuables. Then go on living your life!